Optimising Mental Energy Levels via Design

We do mentally easier tasks in spaces that are relatively energising places to be and those that require us to be more thoughtful, that are more challenging, in spaces where the design vibe is relaxed and comfortable.

Colours, sounds, scents, and textures, for instance, can rev us up or cool us down, as discussed in this article, or this one, here, and also here.

Being seen by other people also energizes us—install screens, re-orient your desk, do what you can to avoid seeing or hearing others when you’re doing something mentally complicated, but sit yourself down in the middle of a zoo, human or otherwise, when whatever you’re doing isn’t hard or something you’ve done so many times it’s become routine and easy.